Former Cherry and Whites take on Purton in fun cricket game

Whilst England were being mauled by South Africa at Lords last weekend, Gloucester Former Players were putting up a sterling performance against the unbeaten village side of Purton, Nr Berkeley.

Eric Stephens, carrying a pulled "quad muscle" from his kicking exploits at Kingsholm the day before, captained the former players.

The day started badly for him when he lost the toss, but he soon had the Purton village side in trouble at 14 for 3 wickets after the first 5 overs. The village side soon fought back through Rich Brookes (Dursley RFC).

Very hot and humid conditions required regular "drinks intervals" and these were well supplied by the Purton Village team. Regular liquid refreshment allowed the Purton side to amass a total of 321.

Jim Breeze had certainly looked a most dangerous bowler for the former players, resembling his days of tearing down the wing at Kingsholm.

He was backed up by Former Players Club Secretary Gary Little, who finished with figures of 3 wickets for 12 runs.

Former England Prop Malcolm Preedy was the meanest (and still the meanest looking) of the Former Players bowlers, conceding only a handful of runs off his three overs. The "Tight Head" was certainly giving nothing away but, sweating profusely, he did consume the most refreshments during the various drinks intervals.

All rounder Charlie Wheatmen probably had the most consistent game and contributed the most to his team with his performances in the field, bowling and batting with such grace.

John Watkins was kept very busy behind the stumps and Derrick Morgan set the standard in the field probably covering more yardage then the rest of the team put together.

However, even he was outshone by Fred Reed who produced the most amazing CATCH and DIVE (in that order) and, notably, this bit of spectacular fielding was off his own bowling! Someone had the cheek to suggest he actually just tripped over!

The former players duly set about chasing their target. Peter Kingston looking as slim and lean as he did behind the scrum nearly 40 years ago, played the most eloquent of innings looking the most classy batsman of the whole day.

The former players did start to falter when first their umpire Keith Richardson, a former Gloucester Captain, had to retire hurt when he reacted badly to the horsefly bites he was getting at the Purton ground which was formally a racehorse training center.

Then Clive Walford managed to rupture a hamstring when going for a quick single, and Bob Timms who played his rugby some years ago got run out a few times!!

Ian Smith the former Scottish flanker came to the rescue and found the job of acting as a runner a bit easier than having to try and hit the ball as a batsman!!

By the time the last pair of batsmen (Stephens and Watkins) came to the wicket the Former Players needed 45 runs off the last 5 overs.

Watkins' swashbuckling performance reduced the deficit to just 12 runs required off the last over and with some help form the umpire (Alan Bond), a life long Gloucester supporter, they managed to draw level with one ball remaining.

Stephens faced the last ball and managed to dig out the yorker and squirt the ball out onto the off side, but alas even with the speed of Morgan and Smith acting as runners they could not make their ground before Purton wicket keeper and captain Phil Pritchard whipped the bails off with them just inches short of making their ground.

The shout went up and the final decision had to be made by the Former Players Chairmen Harold Symonds who had replaced Keith Richardson as Umpire.

Being the true gentleman he is, and in the true spirit of which the game was played he gave the correct decision (probably the first one of the game) and Purton were victorious.

Phil Pritchard, former player and Purton Captain, said:

"It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and I want to thank ALL the former players who took part (who I hope will agree a great day was had by all).

"It is the greatest honor for me to call myself a Gloucester former player and I want to thank Gary Little and his team for helping us enjoy those memories through gatherings like these."

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